Drones quickly evolved from back garden curies to critical components of contemporary infrastructure and now to one of the fastest growing threats for our national security. As CEO of one of the largest drone technology companies in the country and a former naval officer, I have seen first -hand how powerful these tools can be. I have also seen how dangerous they are if they are not regulated; They are liabilities, capable of disruption, destruction and danger.
Only a few days ago, in the midst of fatal flash flames in Texas, a private drone collided with a rescue helicopter during an active life-saving mission. The crash forced the crew to land and ground a critical possession in the middle of an unfolding emergency. In the chaos of ineffable tragedy, a single uncoordinated drone lives in danger and stopped the efforts intended to save them. These types of incidents can be prevented completely with the correct coordination of airspace.
In the first quarter of this year, the FAA reported more than 400 illegal drone raids near American airports, which is an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2024. Drone -raids in the US military airspace have reached unprecedented levels and the trend is only accelerated. On military bases throughout the country alone, 350 unauthorized drone flights were registered last year alone. These are not harmless errors. They are persistent, coordinated and in some cases hostile.
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These incidents are not isolated; They escalate. Drones are used to smuggle smuggling, surveil energy facilities and ports, and even collide with manned planes, and barely avoid catastrophe. As drones become faster, cheaper and easier to operate, our systems for detecting, coordinating and responding remain broken, outdated and dangerously insufficient.
Drones have become a danger of national security. File: The autonomous AV8 drones are governed by a computer system made by Eve vehicles in Austin, Texas. (Kvue)
From commercial planes and emergency helicopters to electric grids and correction facilities, cut these vulnerabilities through every critical sector. Without stronger detection, clear enforcement agency and a uniform approach to managing the airspace, the risk will only grow. This is no longer a matter of whether these gaps will be exploited, but when, how often and at what costs.
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The root of the problem is not technological. The solutions exist today. What we miss is a national framework, a uniform, real -time system to follow, manage and react air traffic with a low height.
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We need a flight information -exchange with which law enforcement, supervisors and operators can see what is flying, where it is and who is responsible. We need cryptographically secure digital references that connect drones, their pilots and their missions to prevent spoofing. And we need external ID signals that cannot be manipulated.
At present, too many decisions depend on disconnected sensors, slow approvals and guesswork. We must merge radar, RF and acoustic data in a single security image. The FAA must publish a national mission-priority table to ensure that emergency flights are not delayed or well-founded. The most urgent must expand the Congress the authority of the Tegenmande Aircraft Systems to include local law enforcement before the current federal authority Sunsets in September.
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The technology is ready. The risks grow. We no longer have the luxury of delay. It is time for the congress, supervisors and industry to act together before they escalate in disasters.
We can protect our skies before the next drone incident becomes a national tragedy.
